Publisher's Weekly Review
Volunteering for a dog rescue organization provides novelist Achterberg (Practicing Normal) ample material in this chatty, earnest memoir of her first 18 months as a foster pet owner. Following the death of her family's 17-year-old hound, Achterberg decides to foster rescue dogs in an effort to "ease the hurt in [her] heart." Her plan is to "essentially give them a tryout, and keep the one that's best," while also finding distraction from worry over the reception of her debut novel, and blunt the pain of her eldest son leaving for college. But each adoption means "coming to terms with saying goodbye," a sadness only alleviated by the arrival of another rescue: "This was how bad the addiction had become." As expected, the narrative revolves around tales of dogs and puppies, some sweet like skinny Frank with the long tongue, some heart-tugging like Momma Bear with her mutilated ears and tail. What's unexpected are Achterberg's personal reveals: her husband's "It has to stop" ultimatum, her emotionally intense teenage daughter's participation in a beauty pageant, and her younger son's health complications. Some readers may find the "Rescue. Foster. Adopt" drumbeat too repetitive, but the stories and photos will delight those who have a soft spot for dogs and the dog rescue mission. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Achterberg never thought she'd have three dogs in her home at once, much less 14. Yet that is the predicament she found herself in only one year after she began her journey into dog fostering. Achterberg's love for animals runs deep, but she didn't intend to become such a die-hard about it. Her original intention was to find a second family dog, one that would get along with her family's current dog. But after saving that first dog and finding her a forever family, Achterberg's self-proclaimed addiction to fostering began. She chronicles her initiation into the world of dog fostering, detailing the perks, pitfalls, and endless puppy poop that fostering entails. Witty and full of love, her memoir beautifully captures the personalities of the dogs she's helped save and recounts the concurrent struggles in her family life, particularly watching her teenagers fly the nest. This easy read is a must for animal lovers and those interested in volunteering with animals and a good choice for reluctant readers.--Patricia Smith Copyright 2018 Booklist
Kirkus Review
A writer's account of how becoming a foster "dog parent" changed her life.When a beloved hound Achterberg (Practicing Normal, 2017, etc.) had kept for 17 years died, the loss "left a gaping hole" in her family's "collective heart." Seeking to heal from loss, the author turned her home into a way station for canine rescues. In this heartwarming memoir, Achterberg lovingly describes the ups and downs of her first two years rehabilitating 50 dogs for new lives in "forever homes." She begins with the story of Galina, a traumatized beagle who shrank from human touch. Under Achterberg's care, Galina soon grew into a "wonderful distraction" the author found difficult to give up. She continued to foster, knowing that another dog would only bring more challenges to a five-person household. Despite feeling unsure she had the "emotional and mental room" for more than one rescue, she brought home a puppy and, later, a large coonhound. Achterberg soon realized that her job was not only teaching her to look past former dog owners' cruelties, but also to forgive inevitable doggie "accidents" like chewed shoes and bathroom mishaps. Other lessons followed. In fostering a pit bull, Achterberg learned to move beyond social prejudice and love dogs for their individual personalities. In fostering a dog who had just given birth to nine puppies, the author became aware that the process of weaning pups was much like weaning her own half-grown children from maternal care. The dogs tested both her and, at one point, the patience of a long-suffering husband who, in a moment of anger, told her to choose between him and the dogs. Yet fosteringand ultimately savingrescues also gave her a renewed sense of purpose. Illustrated with photographs of some of Achterberg's many fosters, this book blends insight and entertainment to tell an unforgettable story about seeking, and finding, life purpose through caring for abandoned dogs.A compassionate and humane canine tale. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
The world of animal rescue is particularly rewarding to those individuals strong enough to endure the flood of emotions that comes with facing animal abuse on a regular basis. Yet, animal rescue is appealing to a broad range of the general populace whether they have a pet of their own or not. Stories abound, and some of the best ones are a blend of the ups and downs experienced by dedicated people such as author (Girls' Weekend; I'm Not Her) and blogger Achterberg who try to make a difference-one rescue at a time. Achterberg dove into rescue work when she faced being an empty nester. Her six-acre farm in Pennsylvania is now home to Operation Paws, the organization she started three years ago. This detailed and thoroughly engaging memoir discusses the 50 or so dogs she has fostered in two short years. Achterberg not only tells readers about the dogs, she uses her reflections to grow and mature in her outlook on life in general. VERDICT Recommended in a crowded field of books on animal rescue and pets for the tears and smiles that it brings to readers.-Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
